Nairobi (KAAB TV) – Kenya will appeal a regional court ruling that halted the implementation of its trade agreement with the European Union, Trade Minister Lee Kinyanjui said on Wednesday, warning that the decision threatens $1.56 billion in annual exports to the EU.
The East African Court of Justice (EACJ), based in Tanzania, suspended the deal on Monday pending the outcome of a case filed by a non-governmental organisation challenging its legality, Kinyanjui said.
Kenya signed the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the EU in 2023 to secure preferential access for Kenyan goods to the 27-nation bloc, while gradually opening Kenya’s market to European products over time.
According to a case summary posted on the EACJ website, the Centre for Law, Economics and Policy argues that the agreement violates certain provisions of the East African Community (EAC) Common Market Protocol, to which Kenya is a signatory.
Kinyanjui said the Trade Ministry has now initiated a legal appeal seeking to overturn the injunction. He did not specify when the appeal would be heard.
“The Kenya–EU EPA is the lifeline of our booming exports and a source of livelihood for a large majority of Kenyans,” he said in a statement. “Kenya will continue to trade with the EU, and steps are being taken to ensure continuity, predictability, and protection of our existing commercial arrangements.”
Kenya exported goods worth $1.56 billion to the EU last year, while importing $2.09 billion from the bloc, according to the minister.
Many African nations are seeking to expand their exports to major markets such as the EU and China, especially following the imposition of higher tariffs by the U.S. government this year.
The EAC Secretariat was not immediately available for comment.